Effect of different combinations of freezing and thawing rates on the shelf-life and oxidative stability of ostrich moon steaks (M. Femorotibialis medius) under retail display conditions

Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between different rates of freezing and thawing on whole ostrich moon steaks to establish a combination or singular main effect that minimises thaw loss and maximises the retail display shelf-life regarding moisture loss, colour, lipid oxidation and tenderness. Five characteristic freezing rates (FR: 1, 2, 4, 8, 24 h) were compared with five characteristic thawing rates (TR: 1.5, 3, 6.5, 14, 21 h) in a completely randomised block design. Moon steaks (M. femorotibialis medius) from 125 birds were randomly assigned to a specific treatment combination before being subjected (after thawing) to a 10-day chilled storage at 4 °C shelf-life trial. Thawing rate had no effect (p > 0.05) on any of the quality (colour, drip and cooking losses, shear force, 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBARS)) parameters whilst freezing rate and display time both had significant (p < 0.05) influences. Thaw loss was lowest (p < 0.05) for the FR_1h and FR_2h, followed by FR_4h, FR_8h and FR_24. The FR_1h had the highest (p < 0.05) drip and shear force values during display while the FR_2h and FR_8h had the highest rate of oxidation (TBARS and metmyoglobin formation). FR_24h had the second best (p < 0.05) colour retention after FR_4h and minimal package drip. Overall, FR_4h resulted in the best quality meat over the entire shelf-life with high bloom retention, low TBARS and shear force, and average thaw, drip and cooking loss.
Description
CITATION: Leygonie, C. & Hoffman, L. 2020. Effect of different combinations of freezing and thawing rates on the shelf-life and oxidative stability of ostrich moon steaks (M. Femorotibialis medius) under retail display conditions. Foods, 9(11):1624, doi:10.3390/foods9111624.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Ostrich meat -- Freezing, Ostrich meat -- Thawing, Ostrich meat -- Preservation, Ostrich meat -- Preparation, Meat industry and trade -- Safety measures, Ostrich meat -- Packaging, Meat packing industry -- Safety regulations, Antioxidants -- Health aspects, Ostrich meat -- Storage
Citation
Leygonie, C. & Hoffman, L. 2020. Effect of different combinations of freezing and thawing rates on the shelf-life and oxidative stability of ostrich moon steaks (M. Femorotibialis medius) under retail display conditions. Foods, 9(11):1624, doi:10.3390/foods9111624